critic reviews
The 2021 Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside Vineyard is incredibly aromatic, lavishly rich and stunningly long. It combines gorgeous, blooming floral aromas of lavender, violets and cherry blossoms with an undercurrent of dark fruits and coniferous leaves. The palate is luxurious and opulent, with a taffeta-like sheen and extravagance laced with mouthwatering, vibrant acidity. The finish is absolutely stunning, weaving layer cake-like concentration into tensile power with a dazzlingly long and ever-morphing finish. This is a pinnacle of California Pinot Noir and will age and improve for decades.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside is one of the most complete wines I have tasted from Rhys. The 2021 Hillside takes all the signatures of this site and amplifies them in stunning style. A whole range of floral, savory and earthy notes open first, before a blast of fruit and tannin saturates the palate. This deep, potent Pinot won't be ready to drink soon, but it is hugely promising. Whereas most of the Pinots in this range softened with air, the exact opposite happened here! Readers should be in no rush.